ShutterTot's Christmas Wishlist

A few days ago, ShutterTot kind of threw a fit after I gave her my firm "no" when she asked for a dollhouse set in a local toy store. So, to pacify her, I just told her that she better be good and start writing her Christmas wishlist to Santa Claus. It worked!

Now, as dictated, here's her letter to Santa:

A Winged Dragon's Side View

Body Shots (Color Enhanced)

All photos taken by ShutterTot at home and in a local mall.

Favorite Things Part I

a gift from mom's trip to Puerto Galera

some DVDs

Mum's stuff. She's back!

her favorite toys

Photos taken by ShutterTot. 03/29/2009.

Jayceet Martin: An Inheritance

Jayceet Martin, a fifty-dollar talking bear before he's become buttons and stitches, is a 23-year old inheritance to ShutterTot. This bear used to mimic voices and has seen a lot of the world. It originally sat in a toy store in Los Angeles, USA. From there, it was shipped to the Middle East. Then after five years, it finally found its way to the Philippines.

Where's next, teddy bear?

Photo taken by ShutterTot.

Circles in MS Paint

Digital Artwork by ShutterTot.

2009 Walong Filipina Exhibit at Sining Kamalig Art Gallery

I took ShutterTot, with the folks, to Sining Kamalig to let her view the art works of the eight featured Filipina artists. I was advised by her Pre-School Adventure teacher at her school to expose her to art in order to develop her skills.

Some of the photos she took:

The gallery has a nice view of the Araneta Center.
I bet the scene will be so much better in a few years.

My favorite: "Full Moon" Oil on Canvas by Lydia Velasco

"Backward Development" Oil on Canvas by Camille Dela Rosa

"Narcissism Unsound" Oil on Canvas by Camille Dela Rosa

During lunch at Reyes Barbecue

Her best subject for the day: Moi! :p

All photos taken by the ShutterTot.

Cupcake and Art

ShutterTot just seems to get better and better at drawing stick figures. They have actually evolved!

Here are some of her drawings while eating some cupcakes one evening:

Tita Biday, her grandaunt in the States, gave her a Fisher-Price Doodle Pro last Christmas. It's been a very useful gift... and also friendly to the environment @ less paper, less waste :-)



First Drawing: Her aunt Jamie


Second Drawing: An angel



Third Drawing: ShutterTot's mom - me!


Here's a sweet story. After drawing mommy, she asked if I can draw a baby in her arms. Then she placed a dot on the right portion of the Fisher-Price Doodle Pro. The dot, according to her, symbolizes her love for me. Aww...

Fourth Drawing: Dots (inspired by the polka dots, I think)

Fifth and last Drawing: Dora's Map
Note: I added the Map's blue part




Click here to view the Fisher-Price Doodle Pro at the Fisher-Price website.
Watch out for the availability of the same model of Fisher-Price Doodle Pro at Amazon.
Or here to purchase the Fisher-Price Doodle Pro Classic in orange at Amazon.

Her Shadow

Taken by ShutterTot last April 10, 2009.

Looking Back: Semana Santa 2009

From a Facebook note written by ShutterTot's mom last April 8:


Holy Week began last Sunday. While waiting for the mass to start, ShutterTot observed that all images of Jesus were draped with purple cloth.

She asked, "why is Papa Jesus covered?"

Again, I was confronted by a three-year old with a question I'm not ready to answer. Really, how do I explain Holy Week to somebody who has a vague concept of yesterday, today and tomorrow? How do I explain Christ's death and resurrection? What will she say if she finds out that a huge part of it includes suffering with blood, sweat and tears?

It was pointless to keep it from her anyway. The images were all over the Church: statues of Christ with wounds from a crown of thorns, framed photos of Christ being whipped by Roman soldiers. She asked what those images were and why they depict "Papa Jesus" that way.

I cannot think of a better way to do it than to tell her that Jesus is covered because we have to remember His death on the cross. However, she pointed to the glass coffin where the statue of Jesus was laid. It was also veiled with purple cloth.

"Why even that?" she asked.

I said that it was all about remembering what happened. Jesus is alive in heaven and is watching her. Right now, Jesus is suffering because he is being "spanked" by Roman soldiers.

"I'm angry at Roman soldiers," she replied.

I explained that she does not have to be angry. Jesus bravely went through everything because He loves her.

When the mass ended, I suggested that she ask the priest her question. Fr. Benny, who gives one of the best homilies in town, must have a better answer.

She usually lets me carry her when we kiss the priest's hand. But she didn't. She ran as she called "Father! Father!" And quite bashfully asked him why Papa Jesus is covered.

Thankfully, the priest mentioned something similar to what I told her. He reassured her too that the drapes will be removed by next week. Easter.

Again, thankfully, we have already painted Easter eggs (due to Barney's Everyone is Special DVD). So more or less, she got it.


Photo taken by ShutterTot on Maundy Thursday.